^lays Qxchanged 



BAKER'S EDITION 



^Z^^ 



The ORIGINAL TWO BITS 

Price, 25 Cents 




WALTER H • BAKER &' CO 

BOSTON 



v^ 



^^ ^^^ ^™ -Jlri^fc- Jfc i^riMr-^Wr Jfc -iMr i^r -iMf -Jftr i^fa- iMn^r ^Bg ^Wr iWr -^Br Jfc 

Recent Plays That Have " Gone Over the Top " 



Males 

The Adventures of Qrandpa 4. 

The Air Spy 12 

The American Flag 6 

Captain Cranberry 8 

The College Chap . 11 

The Colonel's Maid 6 

The Country Doctor 6 

Country Folks 6 

A Couple of Mililon 6 

Cranberry Corners 6 

Daddy 4 

The Deacon's Second Wife 6 

The District Attorney 10 

The Dutch Detective 5 

An Easy Mark 5 

Elizabeth's Young Man i 

The Elopement of Ellen 4 

Engaged by Wednesday 5 

Freddy Qoes to College 4 

A Full House 3 

The Girl From Upper Seven 10 
Grandma Gibbs of the Red Cross 8 

Honeymoon Flats 6 

The Hoodoo 6 

The Hurdy Qurdy Girl 9 

Johnny's New Suit 2 

Local and Long Distance i 

Lvsi— A Chaperon 6 

T t- i^ovlng Cup 4 

{\c Man Who Went 7 
Mrs. Briggs of the Poultry Yard 4 

Much Ado About Betty 10 

No Trespassing 6 

Our Wives 7 

Pa's New Housekeeper 3 

Professor Pepp 8 

The Rebellion of Mrs. Barclay 3 

A Regiment of Two 6 

Sally Lunn 3 

The Slacker 2 

Step Lively 4 

The Submarine Shell 7 

Teddy, or The Runaways 4 

The Time of His Life 6 
The Troubling of Bethesda Pool 2 

Valley Farm 6 

The Village School Ma'am 6 

WlUowdale 7 

For " special " royalties, see catalogue descriptions for 
detailed information. 

BAKERt 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Mass. 



Femali 

5 
4 
3 
3 
7 
3 
5 
5 
5 
6 

4 
6 
6 

5 
2 

3 

3 

II 

2 

3 
II 

9 
8 
12 
9 
5 
6 

9 
9 
3 
7 
12 

5 
4 
2 
8 
6 
4 
4 
7 
10 

4 

4 

3 

12 

6 

S 
5 



2 hrs. 

l}i " 

2 « 

2 " 

2 «• 

2 " 

2 '« 

2 «' 

2 «« 

2 « 

I>^ " 

2 " 

2 " 

2 " 

'A " 

% " 

2 " 

H " 

%. " 

2 " 

2 " 

-2 " 

2 « 

'A " 

2 " 

A " 

2A " 

2 " 

2 " 

2 " 

2 *• 

H " 

2^ " 

i}{ " 

2/2 " 

lyi " 

U " 

2 « 

2 " 

2X " 

2;^ " 

j( « 

2;^ « 

2 " 

2X " 



Price 


Rayattf 


25c 


Free 


25c 


Special 


25c 


Free 


25c 


" 


250 


« 


25c 


<• 


250 


« 


25c 


« 


25c 


^10.00 


25c 


Free 


250 


«' 


25c 


« 


25c 


<« 


25c 


« 


15c 


« 


25c 


« 


25c 


<( 


250 


<« 


25c 


« 


15c 


(« 


250 


« 


25c 


« 


25c 


M 


25 c 


« 


25c 


« 


25c 


« 


15c 


(( 


25 c 


« 


25 c 


^5.00 


25c 


Special 


25c 


Free 


25c 


i< 


25c 


« 


25c 


« 


J5C 


« 


25c 


« 


25c 


<t 


25c 


« 


25c 


« 


250 


« 


25c 


<i 


25c 


Special 


25c 


Free 


25c 


« 


25c 


« 


25 c 


« 


25c 


« 


25 c 


<« 



Si 



The Original Two Bits 

A Farce in Two Acts 



By 

HAZEL M. ROBINSON 



Written for and presented by The Invaders Club of the 
United Baptist Church, of Lewiston, Maine 



NOTE 

The professional rights in this play are strictly reserved and 
application for the right to produce it should be made to the 
author in care of the publishers. Amateurs may produce it with- 
out payment of royalty on condition that the name of the author 
appears on all programmes and advertising issued in connection 
with such performances. 




BOSTON 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 

1920 



4^^"" 
^ ^ 



4^ 



The Original Two Bits 



CHARACTERS 



Annice Darcy 1 

Edna Enderbv ! , , _ . 

Caroline Lawson \ f'""" '^'*"" '" "''"^' 

Alexa Hyland J 

Bridget O'Hara, "chief cook and bottle washer." 

Abigail Dunton, aunt of Annice Darcy. 

LuCRETiA Maude Hoyt, suffragette and friend of Aunt Abigail. 

COSTUMES 

For girls, middies and dark skirts, or bloomers. 

For Bridget, wrapper or big tire. Adds a great deal to the 
part if the hair is done in a comical way. 

For Aunt Abigail — a lady of fashion — summer dress, furs, fan, 
bag, big hat, etc. 

For Lucretia Maude, mannish blouse, necktie, tailored skirt, 
sailor hat and eye-glasses. 




TMP96-006767 



Copyright, 1920, by Hazel M. Robinson 

Free for amateur performance. Professional 
stage-rights reserved. 



/lii'G /6/92(PgI.D 55285 



n-. 



/ 



The Original Two Bits 



ACTI 



SCENE. — An easy interior, living-room of a camp. 
Furniture very plain and usual camp decorations on 
walls. Scene is set on the last day in camp — forenoon. 

{As curtain rises, Annice is seated on one side of the 
center table with her sewing and Alexa on the op- 
posite side with a magazine opened in her hand as 
though she had just finished a story.) 

Annice. I do wish you would read something serious 
for a change. All that drivel doesn't amuse me any — 
it's too foolish and improbable. 

Alexa {yawning). If you can find me anything of 
the nature you suggest in these magazines, I'll read it 
for you. (Tosses magazine on table, scornfidly points 
to them all. ) These were printed before the flood, that's 
why there's nothing that isn't dry in 'em. 

Annice {picks up one magazine, turns pages, hands 
magazine opened to Alexa). There, this sounds more 
interesting. (Alexa proceeds to read a short article of 
great seriousness; Annice sniffs occasionally during 
reading. Annice, as Alexa finishes.) Very good in- 
deed. {Sniffs.) Would you mind asking Bridget what 
that is burning. {Sniff, sniff.) I know she isn't planning 
to get any lunch for we're going in town in time to have 
dinner with the boys to celebrate our return to civiliza- 
tion. {Sniff, sniff.) Something is burning, surely. 
{Exit Alexa, door on r.) I do wonder if anything can 
have happened to Ed and Caro. {Looks anxiously out 



4 THE ORIGINAL TWO BITS 

of the windoTU and then at watch.) They have never 
stayed out so long before. I believe I'll see if I can see 
them from the porch. (Takes field glasses from the 
table and exits door l. Enters again almost immediately ; 
calls excitedly. ) Alexa ! Alexa ! Where are you ? 
There is company coming! 

{Begins to pile up the magazines on table.) 

Enter Alexa, much flustered, smoothing hair and blouse. 

Alexa. Who is it, oh, who is it ? 

Annice. Only my Aunt Abigail and a strange lady, 
so don't be alarmed. It's too early for the boys yet, any- 
way. {A knock is heard and Annice goes to door l. 
while Alexa finishes straightening the piles of magazines 
and pulls the chairs about.) My dear Aunt Abigail, 
what a pleasant surprise. Do come right in ! 

Enter Aunt A. and Lucretia Maude ; Aunt A. puffing, 
drops in the nearest chair to get breath, puffing and 
fanning self. 

Aunt A. My dear niece {puff, puff), I am spending 
the day with dear Lucretia Maude {puff, puff). Let me 
make you acquainted. {Places hand affectionately on 
L. Maude's knee, as she is seated beside her.) Miss 
Hoyt, my favorite niece, Annice Darcy. (Annice and 
L. Maude acknowledge introduction as Aunt A. fires 
ahead.) As I was saying (puff, puff; sigh), I was talk- 
ing with your dear mama only yesterday. I told her T 
was planning a visit with dear Lucretia Maude (smiles 
at L. Maude) for a day or two. She surprised me by 
saying you were here for a few days also. When dear 
Lucretia Maude (smiles at L. Maude again) told me 
how near your cottage was, I just couldn't resist the 
temptation to call on you, my dear. But such a heathen- 
ish way to get into the place, my dear. But for dear 
Lucretia Maude (smiles again at L. Maude), I'm quite 
sure I should have fallen in the water of that awful 
lake ! Really, I'm quite overcome with my walk and the 
shock I received at your door. (Fans self very ex- 
citedly.) Oh! My! Oh! My! By the by {sitting 



THE ORIGINAL TWO BITS 5 

erect and looking anxiously about), where are your com- 
panions, my dear? Surely, your dear mama has never 
in this world consented to let you spend a few days in 
these wilds all alone! Well! Why don't you answer 
me, pray tell ? 

Annice {laughing). Why, of course. Auntie dear. I 
am not alone at all. I have three girls and Bridget with 
me. {Rising and drawing AuEXA forward.) Surely you 
remember meeting Alexa Hyland before, Auntie dear? 
Miss Hyland, Miss Hoyt. 

(L. Maude and Alexa acknowledge the introduction.) 

Aunt A. I believe I have met Miss Hyland before, yes, 
now you speak of it, I am quite sure I have. But where 
are the rest, my dear? {Looking around room again.) 

Annice. Oh, Edna and Caroline are out fishing, at 
least — {looking out the zvindow) I hope they are not 
doing anything more adventurous than that. 

Aunt A. {rising and looking out zvindow). Surely, 
my dear, they are not alone on that awful lake? {Points 
out of window.) Oh, how could you let them go? {Falls 
back in chair. ) Go call to them at once, my dear. ( Fans 
herself excitedly.) I am so glad we are here with you, 
for I fear the worst. 

Alexa {interrupting hastily). Oh, I assure you, 
Madame Dunton, they are in no danger. The lake is very 
calm and both girls can swim like the fishes they are 
after. {Loud laughter and calls of "Annice, Allie, An- 
nice, Allie " are heard outside. Enter Edna and Caro- 
line at R., still laughing; stop abashed at seeing stran- 
gers.) Here they are now, and surely they are all right. 

Annice. Girls, my aunt, Mrs. Dunton and Miss 
Hoyt. My chums, Caroline Lawson and Edna Enderby. 
Well, girls, what luck? 

{Both girls boiv in a cknozvl edging introductions, hut 
before they can reply to Annice's question, Aunt A. 
rises and points in consternation to their feet.) 

Aunt A. My dear young ladies, I am sure your feet 
are soaking wet ! Go change them at once, if you value 



6 THE ORIGINAL TWO BITS 

your health and my peace of mind! {Drops hack in 
chair as girls leave ihe room still laughing, stage r., 
and begins fanning herself.) Oh ! My ! Oh ! My ! Time 
doesn't seem to be improving the younger generation, I 
must say. I never should have thought of staying out so 
long with my feet as wet as that. But then one never 
can tell what the younger generation will do next, can 
one, dear Lucretia Maude? {Turns and smiles at L. 
Maude, who shakes her head and starts to speak — Aunt 
A. again interrupts, turning quickly to Annice.) Aly 
dear, I am famished! Simply famished! This air and 
so much excitement, I suppose. Could I beg just a bite 
to eat? I really feel in need of nourishment, though I 
eat a very little, really, a very little. 

Annice (glancing at watch). It is nearly time for 
lunch anyway, Auntie. I'm sure you will find the porch 
very pleasant while you are waiting. Alexa will enter- 
tain you while I interview Bridget with a view to appeas- 
ing our appetites. (Exit Alexa, Aunt A. and L. Maude 
door stage l., taking chairs with them. Annice follows 
them to door, turns quickly after they are out and 
whispers loudly.) Bridget! Bridget! Come here! Oh, 
where are you? 

Enter Bridget, door stage r., smiling and wiping arms 
on apron. 

Bridget. Shure, ma'am, did ye call me? 
Annice. Bridget, what have we in the house to eat? 
Bridget. To eat, is it? (Arms akimbo.) Shure, 
darlin', there's nothin' at all, at all ! 

(Emphasising each zuord zvith one arm.) 

Annice. But Bridget, my aunt and a friend of hers 
are here and are hungr3\ What shall we do? 

(About in despair.) 

Bridget. Shure, darlin'. Miss Edna and Miss Caro- 
line came out just a wee bit ago, laughing fit to kill 
theirselves, sayin' as how there do be company here. I 
^ez to meself, sez I, most probably they'll be wanting 



THE ORIGINAL TWO BITS J 

something to eat. So what did I do, but begin to take 
stock of me larder. Darlin', there's two wee bits of ham 
(pointing off on three fingers), neither of them as big as 
three of me fingers. And that's all ! 

Annice. Can't you make a hash of them? 

Bridget. I maybe could, but divil a bit of potatoes, 
bread or anything else to make a hash of is there in this 
heathenish hole! 

Annice. An omelet, then, with the ham chopped up 
for a filling? (Seeming to gain hope.) 

Bridget. An omelet, is it? Shure, darlin' (patting 
Annice on the arm), I do hate to disappoint ye, but 
there's not an egg in the house. The hens of the neigJi- 
borhood do be following the example of civilization en- 
tirely and do be on a strike. (Emphasising each word 
as she continues.) There's nothing at all, at all, in the 
house but those two wee bits of ham. Shure, ye rimimber 
as how ye told me the gintlemin were a-goin' to take yese 
to dinner at the Pinecroft come this evenin' and yese 
were a-goin' with appetites ! (Winks broadly and smiles.) 

Annice. Yes, Bridget, I know, but that doesn't help 
us any now. We've got to do something. Can't you go 
to the neighbors and see if we can buy something? 
There, why didn't I think of that in the first place ? Here, 
take this bill (fakes bill from middy pocket and hands 
if to Bridget, who promptly puts it down her stocking 
leg) , and spend it all if you have to, but get us something 
to eat. I'll set the table while you're gone, if you'll just 
help me move it out. 

(Table is moved out. Exit Bridget, and Annice starts 
to clear off magazines, as) 

CURTAIN FALLS. 



ACT II 

SCENE. — Same as Act I, except that table is set c. 

Annice is folding napkins. Enter Bridget with plates 
of salad and cold meat. 

Annice {patting Bridget on back and smiling hap- 
pily). Good, Bridget! I knew you'd help us out" of this 
tight hole. {Hugging Bridget.) But tell me, where did 
you get the stuff ? 

Bridget {smiling broadly). Shure, darlin', I had to 
go half way around the lake before I found anyone at 
home at all, at all. {Arms akimbo, nodding head.) Then 
a kippy little Frinch maid answered me knock and 
laughed when I told her who was here for lunch, and for 
all I know she might have been swearing at me with her 
jibbering. I'm not the least wee bit interested in her 
business, but the bold cratchur wint on to tell me all about 
her love affairs, I'll be blessed. She told me as how she 
was ze delight of ze certain man, that shameless hussy! 
Would you believe it, darlin' ? 

Annice {laughing, patting Bridget's arm). Oh ! She 
only meant that she was certainly delighted to accommo- 
date you. That's very nice of her, Bridget. 

Bridget {in evident relief). Shure, I'm glad to hear 
it, for she's a right smart miss. She gave me their own 
dinner, anyway. But {nodding emphatically), ye've got 
to go 'asy. Shure there's got to be enough of this {wav- 
ing right hand over table) sint back fer two of 'em fer 
to-night's meal. Remimber, go 'asy. \Exit, r. 

Annice {stands looking at table, sighs, shakes her 
head. Suddenly she smiles, and claps her hands to- 
gether). I have it! The old sign — F. H. B. Surely 
then \ve will have enough to send back and we girls will 
still have our appetites for to-night. 
8 



THE ORIGINAL TWO BITS 9 

{Places napkins at plates as Edna and Caroline enter, 
door at r., talking and laughing at each other. They 
seem surprised to see the table set and looking from 
the food on the table to Annice.) 

Both (together). I thought we weren't going to eat 
this noon ! 

Annice. But Aunt Abigail and Lucretia Maude got 
hungry. We had nothing but two bits of ham in the 
house. Bridget canvassed the neighborhood until she 
found some food for us. (Girls are looking at the food 
with very evident delight and pointing first at one dish 
and then at another.) Now, girls (Girls turti and look 
seriously at Annice), no matter how good it looks, go 
light on everything when I say F. H. B. (Girls' counte- 
nances fall and they look disgusted.) Now, go out and 
send Alexa in here for instructions. Remember, F. H. B. 

{Exit Edna and Caroline, repeating in disgust " F. H. 
B.! F. H. B.! F. H. B.!" Enter Alexa looking 
anxiously over her shoulder.) 

Alexa. What ails the girls with their F. H. B., F. 
H. B.? 

Annice (turning as Alexa speaks, facing stage l., 
waves her hand over the table. Alexa takes a step for- 
ward and smiles in delight at the dainty things on fable). 
Go light on all the food this noon when I say F. H. B,, 
which means Family Hold Back, you know. This good 
food is merely borrowed, and a goodly percentage of it 
has got to be returned and we will pay for the rest. 
Remember now, F. H. B. (Walks toward the door stage 
r., calling.) Come, Aunt Abigail, Miss Hoyt, girls, lunch 
is ready. . , . Bring your chairs with you, please. 

Enter all from door stage r. and Annice points out the 
places for them at the table. Bridget enters zvith 
bread and cake which she places on the table as they 
are seated. 

Aunt A. My dear niece, how very inviting this looks 
{looking closely at plate of bread), and the bread is still 
warm, I do believe. 



lO THE ORIGINAL TWO BITS 

Bridget (aside). Shure me thinks the hot sun did 
almost toast it while I was a-comin' with it. 

Annice. Do try some of this salad, Miss Hoyt. I'm 
sure you'll like it. 

(Passes salad dish to L. Maude, ri/ho generously helps 
herself, looks closely at the plate, passes it on to 
Aunt A., who in turn helps herself most gener- 
ously. ) 

L. Maude. That salad dish looks oddly familiar, my 
dear Miss Darcy. Have you any other dishes of the set? 

Annice (in confusion). Oh, yes, er — no — er — (look- 
ing at Bridget who ivinks) that is, you see, Bridget looks 
after the cupboard and I hardly know what dishes we 
have in it. 

(Looks at Bridget who smiles broadly and nods head; 
salad is passed to girls, Annice whispers loudly " F. 
H. B., F. H. B." Girls nod and take only a tiny hit 
of salad. ) 

Aunt A. Did you speak, my dear? Your voice is so 
husky I did not hear distinctly. Will you not repeat it? 

Annice (clearing her throat). I beg your pardon. 
Auntie, dear. I merely forgot myself and started a game 
Ave girls play a lot (looking at girls, who nod and smile 
as Ihoitgh understanding all about it), giving just the first 
letter of the word for the others to guess the rest. I 
started to say — er — Funny How Bad the weather can be 
of a sudden, it is quite cloudy now ! 

(Girls and Bridget look ottt of the windozv then look 
their question at Annice. Aunt A. glances out 
zvindow also, then turns to Annice.) 

Aunt A. My dear niece, you must be looking into a 
shady place — the sun is quite brilliant on the water — yes, 
indeed, quite brilliant. (Bridget passes the meat to 
cover the embarrassing situation. L. Maude and Aunt 
A. again generously help themselves, girls whisper and 
smile, glancing at the plates of their guests, but as the 
meat is passed to them, Annice zvhispers, " F. H. B." and 



^ THE ORIGINAL TWO BITS II 

again they take small pieces. ) And what does that mean, 
my dear? 

Annice (in some confusion). Fine hot bread, isn't it, 
Aunt Abigail ? 

(Edna is seated next to Aunt A., snatches up plate 
from table and passes bread to Aunt A. who takes 
a large roll and passes the plate to L. Maude.) 

Aunt A. It is indeed. (Looks at L. Maude, who nods, 
starts to speak but is again interrupted by Aunt A.) 
Bridget is a treasure, certainly. 

(Bridget smiles and bows to Aunt A., then fuming, 
winks and makes a face at Annice.) 

Edna. I'm thinking this is almost as good as the fish 
we caught this morning. 

(Four girls laugh heartily; Bridget looks in surprise 
at Annice who shakes her head; then Bridget 
laughs. ) 

Alexa. Almost as good as the fish you've caught 
every day this week. 

(Again all laugh, including Bridget.) 

Annice (to Aunt A. and L. Maude). Those girls 
claim to be great catchers of fish, but we've had meat 
every meal so far this week. 

Caroline. Don't you worry, there'll be suckers 
enough to-night ! 

(Girls laugh; Aunt A. looks shocked.) 

Aunt A. (glancing front one plate to another of the 
four). You are eating hardly enough for a bird, my 
dears. Surely you are not ill? 

Annice. Of course not, Auntie, but — well, — you see 
— we are going home this afternoon and the boys have 
arranged a supper party for us. 

Alexa. We want to do justice to that supper. 

(Aunt A. nods understandingly and smiles at L. 
Maude.) 



12 THE ORIGINAL TWO BITS 

Edna (leaning her elbow on the table and staring 
pensively at the girls). They haven't spent a cent on us 
all the week. Just think of it ! 

Caroline. Well, that's where the suckers come in for 
supper. 

(To cover this shock to Aunt A.'s nerves, Bridget 
passes cake, and Aunt A. and L. Maude help them- 
selves most generously, accept coffee, but the girls 
refuse both, when Annice whispers " F. H. B.") 

Aunt A. My dear, I must ask you once more what 
that means ? 

Alex A. I think she meant to say — {glancing at An- 
nice) funny how — how— oh, yes, Funny How Beastly 
homesick one can get away from home for a while. 

(Girls all nod and smile, Annice and Bridget pat her 
on back in approbation. Lunch is over, chairs are 
pushed back a way and Bridget begins to clear off 
the table.) 

Aunt A. Annice, my dear, I believe Miss Hyland 
told me while we were on the veranda that you were to 
leave camp this afternoon? (Annice nods and looks at 
the girls zvho all nod emphatically.) Well, you have been 
to quite a bit of bother to prepare this food, it seems al- 
most a crime to let it be wasted. What do you propose 
doing with it? (Bridget stands staring at Annice, An- 
nice looks from Bridget to the girls and then at the food 
on the fable.) I'm sure I should enjoy finishing the 
salad at some other time and that cake was delicious. 
Bridget is a fine cook. (Bridget courtesies and smiles, 
but turns a shocked face tozvard Annice.) I'll buy this 
food of you and take it to dear Lucretia Maude's for 
our supper. 

(Annice looks in confusion from one to the other of 
those present; Aunt A. is noticeably eager; L. 
Maltde is frankly smiling; Bridget is horrified; girls 
are as embarrassed as Annice. Bridget slips around 
table and whispers in Annice's ear and she rises.) 



THE ORIGINAL TWO BITS 1 3 

Annice. I might as well confess, my dear Aunt Abi- 
gail, that the good food was merely borrowed and we've 
got to return what wasn't eaten. We had nothing in the 
house but two tiny bits of ham, and Bridget found a 
cottage half way down the lake where the maid gave us 
this food. We were to return enough for two for supper 
and pay for the rest. F. H. B. meant for the girls to eat 
little of everything — Family Hold Back, you know. I 
don't know who the food belongs to and (hanging her 
head) I am so ashamed. 

(Bridget and Girls group around Annice to comfort 
her.) 

Aunt A. (rising indignantly). My dear niece, I am 
shocked. I am indeed. Come, my dear Lucretia Maude, 
we will be going. 

(Starts to pick up fan and gloves and bag from table 
near. ) 

L. Maude (smiling). Don't feel so bad about it, Miss 
Darcy. It might have been much worse. I have heard 
of people being invited out for dinner and having to 
settle the bills, but this is the first time I have eaten food 
prepared for my own table in any one else's home. I 
suspected as much when I saw the salad, but my sus- 
picions were confirmed when I saw the platter. There 
is not another dish like it anywhere, for it is imported. 
(Girls are almost zveeping; L. Maude begins to laugh.) 
You are quite welcome to what we have had, my dears, 
and I will take the rest home for Abigail's supper, if you 
don't mind. (Girls begin to feel better, lift heads and 
smile again. Bridget begins to scrape food from meat 
dish onto the platter with the salad, covers rolls with a 
napkin and the cake with another.) Also, you might in- 
clude the two bits of ham for Marie ! 

Bridget (raises right hand, looks at Annice, smiles 
and winks). I am ze delight of ze certain man! 

CURTAIN FALLS. 



LUCINDA SPEAKS 

A Comedy in Two Acts 

By Gladys Ruth Bridgham 
Eight women. Scene, an interior ; costumes, modern. Plays an hour 
and a quarter. Isabel Jewett has dropped her homely middle name, 
Lucinda, and with it many sterling traits of character, and is not a very 
good mother to the daughter of her husband over in France. But cir- 
cumstances bring " Lucinda " to life again with wonderful results. A 
pretty and dramatic contrast that is very effective. Well recommended. 
Price, 27 cents 

CHARACTERS 

Isabel Jewett, aged 27. 
Miriam, her daughter, aged 7. 
Mrs. McBierney, aged 50. 
Tessie Flanders, aged 18. 
Mrs. Douglas Jewett, aged 45. 
Helen, her daughter, aged 20. 
Mrs. Fogg, aged 35. 
Florence Lindsey, aged 23. 

SYNOPSIS 

Act I. — Dining-room in Isabel Jewett' s tenement, Roxbury, 
October, 1918. 
Act II. — The same — three months later. 

WRONG NUMBERS 

A Triologue Without a Moral 
By Essex Dane 
Three women. Scene, an interior ; unimportant. Costumes, modern. 
Plays twenty minutes. Royalty, ^5.00. An intensely dramatic episode 
between two shop-lifters in a department store, in which •< diamond cuts 
diamond " in a vividly exciting and absorbingly interesting battle of wits. 
A great success in the author's hands in War Camp work, and recom- 
mended in the strongest terms. A really powerful little play. 
Price, 2^ cents 

FLEURETTE & CO. ' 

A Duologue in One Act 
By Essex Dane 
Two women. Scene, an interior ; costumes, modern. Plays twenty 
minutes. Royalty, ^5.00. Mrs. Paynter, a society lady who does not 
pay her bills, by a mischance puts it into the power of a struggling dress- 
maker, professionally known as •' Fleurette & Co.," to teach her a valu- 
able lesson and, incidentally, to collect her bill. A strikingly ingenious 
and entertaining little piece of strong dramatic interest, strongly recom- 
mended. 

Price, gy cents 



LINE BUSY 

A Comedy in Two Acts 
By Gladys Ruth Bridgham 
Five male, nineteen female characters, mostly very young people. 
?cene, an easy interior ; costumes, modern. Plays an hour and a half. 
Written for high school performance and admirably suited for this pur- 
pose. Lorraine Fenwick is conducting a school for girls under the terms 
of an uncle's will to demonstrate her right to a big legacy left her under 
conditions. Well, just as some burglars are looting a near-by house, some 
of her girls, seeing the place open, enter and get mixed up in the trouble. 
A "jay" detective thoroughly mixes up the beans thus spilled, and an 
exciting maze of circumstances follows that is full of surprises and fun. 
A capital piece, well recommended. 

Price, 2^ cents 

CHARACTERS 



Janice Reece, an instructor. 

Snowball, the maid. 

Jeremiah Stokes, the constable. 

Lorraine Fenwick. 

Mrs. Olive Gleason- Hamilton 

Marion 

Ada 

Flossie 

Stella \ the juniors. 

Agnes 

Phyllis 

Marie 



Magnolia, her daughter. 
RoscoE Linden. 
Parker Hamilton. 
Jack Huntlev. 
Richard Fenwick. 
Trixie Tree, an actress. 
Jean Morris 
Anita Shirley 
Helen Burns I the 
Muriel Collins | seniors^ 
Frances Rose 
Gladys Symons 



SWIMMIN' POOLS 

A Romance in One Act 

For Male Characters Only 

By Belford Forrest 

Five male characters. Scenery, a dark stage ; unimportant. Costumes, 
modern. Plays twenty mmutes. " The Kid " of a trio of hobos en- 
counters the turning point in his life in the person of i young woman and 
parts with his mates in a scene of great dramatic interest. A high class 
play for male characters uniting much humor with /jenuine sentiment. 
Strongly recommended. 

Price, 2y cents 



THE HAPPY DAY 

A Farce in One Act 
By Octavia Roberts 
Seven female characters. Scene, an interior; costumes, 'wodern. Plays 
half an hour. Sybil Marlowe, a bride, worried to death by the burden of 
preparation for a fashionable wedding and on the eve of a quarrel with 
her fiance over the strenuous entertainments of her friends, cuts th? knot 
when an impossible country cousin turns up with a demand to s«rve as 
bridesmaid, and gets married on the quiet. Very bright and livelf and 
strongly recommended. Price, ib cents 



r 



Plays and Novelties That Have Been " Winners " 



The Americana 

Anita's Trial 

Art Clubs are Trumps 

Behind the Scenes 

The Camp Fire Girls 

A Case for Sherlock Holmeft 

The Farmerette 

Getting the Range 

Her First Assignment 

Hitty's Service Flag 

Joint Owners in Spain 

A King's Daughter 

The Knitting Club Meets 

A Lady to Call 

Leave it to Polly 

The Minute Man 

Miss Fearless & Co. 

A Modern Cinderella 

Moth° Balls 

Rebecca's Triumph 

The Thirteenth Star 

Twelve Old Maids 

An Awkward Squad 

The Blow-up oi Algernon Blow 

The Boy Scouts 

A Close Shave 

The First National Boot 

A Half' Back's Interference 

His Father's Son 

The Man With the Nose 

On the Quiet 

The People's Money 

A Regular Rah I Rah ! Boy 

A Regular Scream 

Schmerecase in School 

The Scoutmaster 

The Tramps' Convention 

The Turn in the Road 

Wanted — A Pitcher 

What They Did for Jenkins 

Aunt Jerusha's (jfuilting Party 

The District School at Blueberry 

Corners 
The Emigrants' Party 
Miss Prim's Kindergarten 
A Pageant of History 
The Revel of the Year 
Scenes in the Union Depot 
Taking the Census In Blngvllle 
The Village Post-Office 
Women in War 



Male. 



Females 
II 
II 
12 
12 

IS 
lO 

7 

8 
lo 
II 

4 
II 

9 

3 

II 

13 
lo 

i6 

3 
i6 

9 

«5 



20 

6 
7 

lO 

14 
8 

12 
II 

14 
II 

9 

lO 

17 

9 

II 

14 

4 



12 

24 
lO 



12 



Tim, 

\yi hrs. 

2 " 

K " 

2 " 

2 " 

'A " 

I " 

iX « 

A " 

2 " 

A " 

H " 

lyi " 

lA " 

2 " 

A " 

2 " 

lA " 

I " 



A 



% 
iX 

\% 

I 

2 

IK 

A 

2 



t 
I 



17 

lO 

II 
Any number 2 
« « ^ 

« « I 

14 8 l^ 

22 20 2 
II 



Yz 



Price 


Royaltp 


250 


Free 


25c 


« 


25c 


*( 


25 c 


M 


25c 


« 


,25c 


« 


25c 




25c 


« 


»Sc 


« 


25c 


« 


25c 


^S-oo 


25c 


Free 


25c 


« 


ISC 


K 


25c 


(1 


250 


M 


250 


<• 


250 


<« 


250 


« 


25c 


« 


25c 


M 


25c 


« 


15c 


<t 


15c 


« 


25c 


M 


15c 


« 


15c 


« 


15c 


« 


25c 


« 


15c 


« 


25c 


l< 


25c 


« 


25c 


<f 


25c 


« 


ISC 


«|- 


25c 


(1 


25 c 


11 


15c 


<« 


15c 


« 


25c 


(( 


25c 


« 


25c 


« 


2SC 


« 


25 c 


« 


250 


« 


15c 


<« 


25c 


M 


25c 


« 


25c 


<* 


15c 


U 



BAKER, 5 Hamaton Place, Boston, Mass. 






"ff'^lBF' 



Plays for Colleges and H 

Males Females 



The Air Spy 

Bachelor Hall 

The College Chap 

The Coloael's Maid 

Daddy 

The Deacon's Second Wife 

The District Attorney 

The Dutch Detective 

An Easy Mark 

The Elopement of ^llen 

Engaged by Wednesday 

The Farmerette 

For One Night Only 

Hamilton 

Higbee of Harvard 

Hitty's Service Flag 

The Hoodoo 

The Hurdy Qurdy Qlrl 

Katy Did 

Let's Get Married 

London Assurance 

Lost a Chaperon 

The Man from Brandon 

The Man Who Went 

The Man Without a Coumry 

Master Pierre Patella 

Me and Otis 

The Minute Man 

Mose 

Mr. Bob 

Mrs. Briggs of the Poultry Yard 

Nathan Hale 

Nephew or Uncle 

Professor Pepp 

A Regiment of Two 

The Revenge of Sharl-Hot-So 

The Rivals 

The Romancers 

The Rose and the Ring 

Sally Lunn 

The School for Scandal 

She Stoops to Conquer 

Step Lively 

The Submarine Shell 

The Thirteenth Star 

The Time of His Life 

Tommy's Wife 

The Twig of Thorn 



12 

8 
il 
6 

4 
6 
lo 
5 
5 
4 
5 

5 

II 

5 

6 
9 

4 
3 

lO 

6 
3 

i 

4 
5 

II 

3 
4 
le 

8 
6 
3 
9 

il 
3 

12 
15 

4 
7 



4 
4 
7 
3 
4 
6 
6 
5 

2 

3 
II 

7 
4 
5 
4 
II 
12 

9 
8 

5 
3 
9 
4 
3 
5 
I 

4 
13 
10 

4 
7 
4 
3 
8 

4 
4 

5 
I 

5 
4 
4 
4 
10 

4 
9 
3 

5 
7 



ij 
2 

2J 

2 

2^ 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 
2 

2 
2 

2 
2 

2 

2 

^Yz 
2 

2 

^Yz 
2 

2 

^Ya 

^Y^ 

2 
2 

^Yz 

2Yz 



016 103 

25c 
25c 
25c 
250 
15c 
25c 
25c 
25c 

>5C 
50c 

15c 
25c 
25c 
25c 
25c 
50c 

15c 
25c 

15c 
250 
25c 
50c 

»Sc 
25c 

ISC 

ISC 
25c 
50c 
25c 
25c 
25c 
15c 
15c 
25c 
25c 
25c 
>Sc 
»Sc 
25c 
25c 
25 c 
25c 
25c 
60c 



977 9 ♦ 



Special 
Free 



Special 
Free 



Special 
Free 



310.00 
Free 



Special 
Free 



For 



special " royalties, see catalogue descriptions for 
detailed information. 



BAKER, 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Mass. 



i 



